A one-dollar bill has
a humble and homely look.
A five-dollar bill has
a few meek pretensions.
A ten is vigorous and
forthright and honest,
like a scout leader.
A twenty, held to the ear
like a seashell
emits the far-off sound
of nightclub music.
A fifty wears the faint sneer
of the race track.
It has a portly look
needs a shave,
wears a yellow diamond
on the little finger.
And a hundred is
very haughty indeed.
John D. MacDonald
Soft Touch
1958
